Family History Today: Case Studies from Sherlock Cohn, The Photo Genealogist

Center for Jewish HistoryNew York, NY

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In this fun and informative workshop, Sherlock Cohn, the internationally-known Jewish genealogy sleuth, will demonstrate how and why it is important to mine the clues our ancestors left for us in their photographs. The first part of the program will focus on understanding how immigration and assimilation, as well as religious customs and practices of our Jewish ancestors, help us learn more about the personalities and the stories hidden within our family photos. In the second portion of the program, Sherlock will use case studies, including one from Yeshiva University Museums current exhibition, Lost and Found A Family Photo Album, to illustrate how photo dating, photo identification, knowledge of fashion and artifact history, and matching vital records can illuminate our relatives lives and help us solve some of our vexing genealogy mysteries. At the conclusion, she will help workshop attendees begin the process of analyzing their own family photos.

About the Speaker: Ava (Sherlock) Cohn is an internationally-recognized professional genealogist who specializes in the dating and interpretation of Jewish family photographs. Ava is a graduate of Brandeis University and has completed coursework in decorative arts, art history and costume history at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. For the past ten years, she has worked professionally as Sherlock Cohn and was a volunteer photo analyst for many years before starting her own business.

Do you have a family photo that you would like Sherlock Cohn to analyze? By December 15, 2018, please send an email with the subject line For CJH Presentation to sherlock.cohn@comcast.net with scans of the photo (as attachments) and information about what you already know about the photo and what genealogical question you would like to be answered.

Photo Submission Guidelines:Scan your photo at 300 dpi (dots per inch) resolution in jpeg format. Scan both sides of the photo (for images on paper/cardboard). If the photo is in a frame or a case, be sure to include that in the scan as well, particularly if there is a photographers mark or written information on the frame or on the back.Describe what you already know about the photo, which may include all or some of the following: From whom did you get the photo? Who do you believe is in the photo? When do you believe the photo was taken? Where do you believe the photo was taken? Why do you believe the photo was taken?Tell me what genealogical question you want to have answered by the photo analysis. Date? Place? Other? If you wish to identify someone in your photograph, please send a scan of one other photo of the person in question for comparison. Include a brief family chart or tree, if possible, showing the names and dates of individuals you think might be your mystery person.After Sherlock receives your email, she may e-mail you to ask more specific questions.

Disclaimers:Please limit your inquiry to one photo only (with the exception of the second photo required if you are asking for the identification of a person). Photos of people in military or other uniforms will not be accepted.Sherlock reserves the right to reject any photographs that yield too few clues or are too faded or in poor condition. Sherlock may not be able to analyze all the photographs submitted, due to the workshops time limitations.

Presented by Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute and Yeshiva University Museum

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Date

Jan 23, 2019 6:30 PM

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Free

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Location

Center for Jewish History(View)
15 West 16th St.
New York, NY 10011
United States